Income Security: A Roadmap for Change

2015 also saw a commitment by the federal government to implement the United
Nations (UN) Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples The UN Declaration
sets out individual and collective Indigenous rights such as the right to be actively
involved in developing and determining health and social programs and, as
far as possible, to administer such programs through Indigenous institutions
The Declaration also recognizes that Indigenous people have the right to free,
prior and informed consent before adopting and implementing legislative or
administrative measures that may affect them. Following the final report of the
Truth and Reconciliation commission, the Ontario government in 2016 announced
a formal commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, called The
Journey Together
Within the context of these unique rights and relationships, the First Nations
Income Security Reform Working Group has shared insights regarding the impacts
of residential schools, the extent of the intergenerational trauma and poverty
that exists in First Nations communities, and the need for social assistance
programming that develops First Nations’ capacity to overcome these challenges
Within our First Nations, we are aware of the depth of despair, hopelessness
and isolation We or someone we know and love are living everyday with the
effects of poverty Those effects include food insecurity, poor housing conditions,
low literacy levels, high drop-out rates in education, over-representation in the
justice system, under-representation in programs we qualify for but that are
hard to access such as ODSP and Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities
(ACSD), high costs of living in isolated and remote areas, losses in control and
access to our traditional territories and natural resources, lack of economic
development (which has been affected by colonization, including Indian Act policy
and its restrictions on reserve land use), lack of infrastructure (including internet
services), overcrowding, high unemployment rate, underfunding, low wages and
lack of adequate job opportunities
First Nations community dependence on the social assistance system has become
entrenched over generations First Nations social assistance recipients are among
the most vulnerable people in Ontario They require in-depth supports to build
hope and self-esteem and acquire the skills to set goals and overcome barriers
related to mental health, addictions and family crisis, which will enable them to
become resilient and self-suffcient. First Nations also need support at the whole
community level to build opportunities for economic development and education
28 Income Security: A Roadmap for Change